LEONIA — A borough crossing guard and her daughter have been identified as the two people who were killed when a five-alarm fire ripped through their Maple Street home early Thursday.

Harriette Townsend, 65, was positively identified as one of the victims, Police Chief Thomas Rowe said. Her daughter, Ruth, 33, who attended a special needs school in Hackensack, was believed to be the second victim, but officials were awaiting confirmation from the medical examiner.

Townsend’s brother, Howard Coleman, tried to save his sister and niece from the inferno, but couldn’t make it through the heavy fire, Rowe said. Two borough police officers who also made a rescue attempt were pushed back by flames and had to be treated for smoke inhalation.

Harriette Townsend’s 95-year-old mother and brother escaped after the flames broke out around 5:30 a.m., according to officials. They were treated for apparent minor injuries.

In Leonia, Harriette was remembered as someone who looked out for the borough’s children and was always smiling.

“She cared about the kids in town,” Rowe said of Harriette, a crossing guard for eight years stationed at the high school. “She did everything to make sure the kids were safe.”

Rowe described a “great sadness” throughout the community and police department. Everyday, he remembered, Harriette would offer a smile and wave as he drove to work.

“She was just a very lovely person,” the chief said.

Her brother, Gordon Coleman, told WABC-TV he was trying to come to terms with the loss.

“They go to church every Sunday, she's a matron at church on Fridays. I cannot understand how something like this could happen to those two folks, truly two fine people,” Coleman said.

The roof collapsed as firefighters battled the blaze and fire crews had to contend with frigid temperatures, which quickly turned their water into ice. Investigators brought in a crane to sift through the charred rubble, according to Bergen County Prosecutor John L. Molinelli.

Rowe said investigators haven’t yet pinpointed the cause of the fire, it was not believed to be suspicious.